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I like Joyce’s questions this week. They aren’t too taxing on the brain, which I really appreciate given that we are now very much into the routine at school, and I am feeling, oftentimes, overwhelmed.

Let’s cut to the chase and begin!

1. When it comes to good manners, what two top your list of most important?

Being a Southern girl, I really like when people say “Ma’am” and “Sir.” Teenagers, especially, melt my heart when they inject a ma’am into a conversation, and I find myself less likely to write someone up if that person has said this one simple word.

Another manner I think is important is not talking when there’s a meeting going on. I’m shocked when people sit and have small conversations during faculty meetings! Trying to teach in a classroom when children are talking is distracting. Sitting in a meeting trying to hear what my administrators are saying is equally difficult.

2. Let’s open a proverbial can of worms…Common Core. Are you familiar with the term (talking education reform in the USA)? If so, care to share your thoughts? In your opinion, what is one of the biggest issues schools (in your home country) face today?

Ahhh…you just had to go there, didn’t you, Joyce? I think that the intent of Common Core is good…to toughen up the standards and make them the same across the country. What I disagree with is the testing. Our children are tested every time they turn around, and it’s ridiculous. Teachers (myself included) have our instruction frequently interrupted by said tests…to the point where we can’t even teach what they are being tested on! Do I think there should be standards and accountability? Absolutely. I went to school with kids who would not have graduated, and probably rightly so, if such things had been in place. They would have been identified as having learning problems and helped, I hope.

I think our schools are facing a problem with micromanagement. Let the teachers teach without nearly so much oversight, paperwork, and meetings. It’s a very overwhelming job as it is. Those things make it even harder.

3. Name a celebrity whose fashion sense you admire and share why.

Honestly, I don’t follow celebrity fashion, so I have no answer for this one. I wear what I want and don’t pay much attention to what others are wearing.

4. How are you affected by the changing seasons?

I’m not really affected at all. I layer up as it gets colder, but I’m usually wearing a sweater anyhow because I’m cold-natured, so the weather changes don’t affect me too much. I will say that my hair is easier to straighten during the winter because a lot of the humidity is gone.

5. Scariest book you’ve ever read?

I once tried to read Pet Cemetery, by Stephen King. I was much younger…barely a teenager. I don’t think I made it past the first two chapters. I’ve never tried to read it since.

6. What time of day are you most hungry? What’s your go-to snack?

I don’t get hungry too often. I don’t eat breakfast nor lunch. Food is such an inconvenience to me, and I love it when I fast. Yes, I realize that I have food issues.

If I’m going to snack, I’d prefer to have chips and salsa.

7. Do you lean more towards being too needy or too independent? Which do you find harder to deal with in others?

I am fiercely independent, which puts me at odds with people because I do not like to get help. Now, I will ask for help, when I’m teaching, but really, I like to work on my own. I think it’s my desire for full control of my life (and God laughed).

I find needy people to be extremely annoying. I don’t mind helping, but please at least try to learn while I teach you and then let’s move on.

Yes, I’m a bit impatient too. 🙂

8. My Random Thought

During the past seven days, I have received two new books…both third installments in their respective series. I am one happy girl!!!!

6 Responses

Most teachers I know say please just let us teach. I cannot skip breakfast and lunch. I can sometimes eat a late breakfast and then just a snack in the afternoon, but I don’t skip. I get cranky if I get too hungry : )

I enjoyed your comment to #2…I knew you’d give some good insight and you didn’t disappoint. I admire teachers, such as yourself, who can take on the challenges and help students succeed. I agree…Pet Cemetery…a bit too scary for me!